What do you get out of a trigger job?

[Smiley]

When some of you say I had a trigger job done to this pistol or that one, what are you getting?

If I were to go down to my local guys store and ask him to do a trigger job on my kimber while he is putting on some night sights that I have been thinking about what would I get?

Does it lighten the pull?
take away overtravel, or creep?
What is a good pull? 2lbs, 3lbs?


I figure for my birthday I wanted night sights put on my Compact custom I and while its down there why not get a trigger job.

BTW My local guy lives above his store and the guy who lives in the basment actually works at Kimber as an retired/consultant engineer or something I have been told by those that would know.

 

[Chris Rhines]

Like so many other things, the answer is, "It depends."

'Trigger Job' is a coloqualism for anything done to improve the tactile action of the trigger. This can include reducing the pull weight, removing overtravel, smoothing out the trigger action, decreasing the length of trigger travel, removing takeup and side-to-side play, et cetera.

If your gunsmith is competent, you should be able to go to him and say, "I want a 4-1/2 pound pull, crisp break, no takeup and minimal overtravel, and smooth trigger face." And that's what you should get when he's done.

For a 1911a1 trigger, I'd be hesitant to go below 4 pounds. Not because of safety concerns (obey Rule #3!!!) but because in general, the lighter a trigger pull, the shorter the trigger lifespan.

- Chris

 

[Preacherman]

Actually, "trigger job" may be a misnomer. What most gunsmiths do is an "action job" - checking and smoothing out all moving parts so that the gun's operation as a whole is much lighter and easier. The trigger can be done separately, but on a revolver, for example, an action job will typically include checking the cylinder for end-shake and lock-up, timing, trigger, etc. For example, Teddy Jacobson of "Actions By T" (whom I highly recommend, BTW) has this to say:

Our Complete Action Job prepares a handgun for street carry. The handgun is completely disassembled and each part including the frame is deburred. smoothed out, polished, and mated properly in order to achieve a refined glass smooth action. All trigger engagements are cut with a jig, and the finest Ruby, Ceramic and Arkansas stones are used. We polish the breech face of all semi auto pistols to a mirror finish. We use the finest diamond abrasives on super hard steel. We jewel interior parts & frames when necessary to better hold lubrication. We take no short cuts, our complete action job is the ultimate in refinement. We do not offer different levels of refinement at different prices.

I took that from TJ's Web site, BTW.